Twin Disc Incorporated

Glenn Eric Meeusen

Gerald A Matranga

A balanced clutch system is provided for use in a transmission. The balanced clutch system includes a clutch assembly that has a clutch piston and a balance piston that cooperate with a clutch piston cavity and a balance piston cavity. Each of the clutch piston cavity and balance piston cavity receives a continuous supply of fluid and establishes a centrifugal head pressure therein, during use. The centrifugal head pressure established in the balance piston cavity contributes to a force that opposes a self-engaging tendency of the clutch assembly that is created by the centrifugal head pressure established within the clutch piston cavity.

Balanced clutch system

A transmission gear train has a clutch designed to minimize shift shock upon engagement while still exhibiting relatively rapid initial engagement. To this end, a face cavity is formed in the clutch actuating piston which acts as an accumulator into which hydraulic fluid flows for a period of time after initial clutch engagement. This fluid flow causes clutch pressure to be lower than system main pressure while the accumulator is filling, thereby providing a cushioning effect which reduces shift shock. Use of the accumulator or face cavity eliminates the need for a stepped piston and the additional seals and flow passages normally required for a stepped piston, thus simplifying clutch manufacture and operation.

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Racine, WI, United States of America

Glenn Eric Meeusen